Thousands show up to celebrate Port of Albany’s 200th birthday

Southern Ports hosted more than 4,500 people from industry and community across two events to celebrate the Port of Albany’s bicentenary on Friday 10 April and Saturday 11 April.

Minister for Ports Hon Stephen Dawson MLC kicked off the weekend of celebrations at the Albany Entertainment Centre with 150 industry and regional stakeholders, reflecting on the importance of WA ports to the state’s economy, alongside Menang Elder Aunty Vernice Gillies and renowned maritime historian Malcolm Tull who provided insights and stories from the Port of Albany’s 200-year history.

Thousands of people then descended on the Port on Saturday 11 April for PortFest, Southern Ports’ largest and most successful community open day yet.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said it was a momentous occasion, and was thrilled to hear just how many people joined in the celebrations, many with their own stories to share about the Port.

“It’s not every day we get to celebrate 200 years and a port that has been so instrumental in shaping the industry and our regional communities,” said Mr Wilks.

“To more than double our previous open day attendances and with people travelling from across our regions and even interstate shows just how special this was for us and how connected our regional ports are with the community and country.”

PortFest saw a host of popular family friendly entertainment including a large whale marionette puppet, mermaid hair braiding, face painting, a giant sand sculpture, bouncy castles, and tours of the Port by bus, boat and foot.

There was a great line up of entertainment – from MC Famous Sharron and the Royal Australian Navy Band to local performances from The Numbats, Tammy and Simon London, Freak Maestro, The Albany Shantymen and Adam Grok Music.

Svitzer’s tug display was also a crowd favourite, with hundreds converging to the wharf to see the vessel’s firefighting capabilities and to take in the scale of the vessels alongside including the Jian Dian Ye Guang loading 27,000 tonnes of grain, and the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate, the HMAS Warramunga.

HMAS Warramunga Commanding Officer, Commander Ken Brown, said the bicentenary was an important celebration for Albany and its enduring relationship with the Royal Australian Navy.

“For 200 years the Port of Albany has connected Australia’s west coast to the world,” Commander Brown said.

“From the departure of the first ANZAC convoys, including HMAS Melbourne (I) and HMAS Sydney (I), to the support it provides modern navy and merchant vessels, Albany continues to be an important and significant port for Australia.

“My crew and I are extremely proud to be here representing the Royal Australian Navy in this beautiful port.”

Close to 35 port users and community partners attended PortFest, providing an insight into their behind-the-scenes operations and contribution to the Great Southern region.

“Everyone has their own story to share about the Ports, and while we colloquially hear these stories every day, we were pleased to showcase a series of Voice Prints that capture some of the Port’s history for everyone to enjoy, brought to life by Theatre 180,” said Mr Wilks.

Southern Ports works across the South West, Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern partnering with agricultural, mining and forestry industries to facilitate more than 30 million tonnes of vital trade each year.

For more information on Southern Ports and the history of the Port of Albany visit southernports.com.au or its Facebook where it will continue to share its history and the Voice Prints in weeks to come.